Trump Says He Hasn't Considered Pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell Amid Continual Epstein Controversy

On Friday, President Donald Trump remarked that he has not given any thought to a potential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of the late Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted for sex offenses. Maxwell's attorney indicated that she would be open to receiving any form of relief from her prison sentence, as the White House continues to contend with the fallout from the Epstein scandal and questions about Trump's past connections to Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

When asked about the possibility of pardoning Maxwell, Trump conveyed that although he has the authority to do so, it is not something he has considered. Currently, Maxwell is serving a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted in 2021 for facilitating the abuse of underage girls by Epstein, and she is in the process of appealing her sentence.

Maxwell recently participated in a series of interviews with Deputy Attorney-General Todd Blanche, where the Justice Department sought to gather additional insights regarding the Epstein case. Her lawyer, David Markus, confirmed that Maxwell responded to the queries honestly but refrained from disclosing specific details about the discussions. Markus emphasized that Maxwell did not request anything in exchange for her testimonies and was not in negotiations for a pardon, though she would appreciate any relief given her situation in prison.

The situation surrounding Epstein has intensified scrutiny on Trump, as both supporters and opponents demand transparency regarding the Justice Department's investigation into Epstein and his alleged connections to prominent figures. After initial assurances from Attorney-General Pam Bondi about the release of more materials relating to Epstein's clientele, the Justice Department recently concluded that no further investigation was warranted, leading to public dissatisfaction among some of Trump’s supporters who suspect a cover-up of Epstein’s associations.

When questioned about the meetings involving Blanche and Maxwell, Trump mentioned he was unaware of the specifics but acknowledged the meeting's occurrence. He subsequently highlighted that scrutiny should also extend to other celebrities linked to Epstein, distancing himself from any wrongdoing. Despite past interactions with Epstein during social events in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Trump has consistently asserted that he has never engaged in any illicit activity related to Epstein and has denied being on Epstein's private aircraft.